Early return boosted South Africa: Pollock

South Africa’s early exit from the triangular ODI tournament in Australia has helped the Proteas refocus for the home series against the world champions, according to Shaun Pollock.
“I felt, in a way, that if we weren’t going to win the VB Series it couldn’t have happened better from the perspective of getting knocked out and coming home, and getting those extra two weeks at home,” allrounder Pollock told a news conference in Cape Town on Friday.
“When we got together (after that) there was a lot of energy, we were laughing and joking and there was excitement in the air,” he said.
The South Africans left Sri Lanka and Australia to contest the final, and limped home to prepare for the Australians’ return tour.
South Africa won the tour opening 20-over international by two runs, and then beat Australia by six wickets in the first ODI in Centurion on Sunday.
The second match will be played in Cape Town on Friday.
“To win those two games did a lot for our confidence and the guys are happy about the way that they are playing. We were in India before Australia and we haven’t played in front of our home crowds for a while. You really do recognise the comfort and the confidence that you can pick up from the crowd,” he said.
Australia could be without the injured pair of captain Ricky Ponting and allrounder Andrew Symonds on Friday, and Pollock said South Africa would look to take advantage.
“Tomorrow’s game is big for us. It’s only a five-match series so if you can manage to get 2-0 up it puts a lot of pressure on a touring team, especially if there are injuries. But you can’t spend too much time thinking about what they are doing,” Pollock said.